D'Artagnan\
I just gotta take a minute to share my happiness.
This past weekend, my son attended the Tim Tebow Foundation's "Night To Shine" a "prom" for kids with special needs. I was completely blown away.
He was so excited to go and "party" with all his friends. But I was a bit nervous, because events like these can be overwhelming for him, and usually at events like this I end up working harder than the hosts.
I have to say though that from the time we pulled into the parking lot to the time we left, the entire experience was better than I could have ever hoped.
It was held at a local Baptist Church and it seems like their entire Congregation was there volunteering to do something.
When we arrived they had parking lot attendants and valet parking to make it easier- we chose to self park, becaue it would be easier to make an escape if he did melt down.
When we got to the entrance of the church and there was an MC with a microphone announcing everyone's name, and those members of the congregation who were not already otherwise engaged, lined the red carpet entrance taking pictures, cheering and holding up signs and chanting his name as my son made his way down the carpet. He was absolutely beaming and having the time of his life, waving to the audience, blowing kisses and strutting his stuff.
When we got inside they had a whole bunch of other volunteers there to hook him up with a peer "buddy" and get him acclimated to his surroundings. As I mentioned, at events like this, I usually end up working harder than the hosts, but all of the "buddies" had gone through training on working with people with special needs, and after a brief discussion with his "date" for the night, off they went 1 way, as I was directed in to the "Caregiver Reception" in the other.
In our reception area, they fed us a GREAT homemeade meal, (not easy for about 400 people) and volunteers roamed the room ensuring we had everything we wanted or needed. Since it was a Baptist Church, they did ask if they could pray with/for us, but other than that, it wasn't an overly religious situation.
But I did get to relax for the next 2.5 hrs while my son's date texted me pictures of the various activites they did- a limo ride, dancing, karaoke, and other games.
The look on my son's face in each of the pictures was absolutely priceless.
I cannot put into words the feeling I got seeing him having such a great time.
Then my son had enough and we headed to the exit, with people cheering him the whole way.
They had thought of everything to make this an absolutely perfiect night. (Other than the weather, which was a bit cold and rainy, but I can;t really fault them for that).
The Tim Tebow Foundation put ona an AMAZING event. My son is already planning for next year. |
